Knutsford, a market town in Cheshire, England, served as the primary location where Elizabeth Gaskell spent her formative years and much of her life. Gaskell's upbringing in Knutsford greatly influenced her literary works, as it provided the setting and inspiration for several of her acclaimed novels, including "Cranford" and "Sylvia's Lovers."
The Marvelous World of Elizabeth Gaskell: A Journey through the Life and Works of an English Literary Icon